Capacity to serve
by Annie Duarte
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If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need (1 Timothy 5:16).
Read 1 Timothy 5:1–16
When I read today’s passage as a whole, there are lots of specifics for the church at Ephesus under Timothy’s care. But here is also a good reminder for the church today and even for me as a believer: you only have so much capacity. Therefore, God-honouring boundaries are important.
The early church revolutionised what it meant to care for the poor in the ancient Roman Empire. Early Christians showed generosity in unprecedented measures. Roman Emperor Julian even tried to get pagan priests to show compassion and care for the poor in a similar fashion, but the program was ultimately a failure because they were not inspired from the heart in the way that Christians were. The early church loved people well. But as we read here, their service was not boundless. Paul instructed them to ‘prioritise the widows who were really in need’. Paul knew that the church would provide the best quality and more effective care when it acknowledged its capacity, honoured its limits and used its resources most efficiently.
Maybe this instruction speaks to you today. Take a minute to check in with yourself emotionally, physically, time/energy-wise, financially or relationally … Where do you have margin? Where are you tapped out and at capacity? In what areas do you feel you have more capacity to serve and love others well? In what areas might you need to step back and let Jesus fill up your cup? An unfortunate reality of being human is that we have limits. I often wish I could serve, fix, donate, love and share far more than I am realistically able to. When I take a step back to assess my capacity, I am more inclined to ask the Lord where he wants me to focus my energy and attention. Then I find that I more easily walk in his will for me.
Lord, I know you have prepared in advance good works for me to do. Let your grace wash over me as I accept my limitations and lean into what you are calling me to. Amen.
Annie Duarte is a wife, mum, worship leader and preschool Bible teacher. She and her husband serve in ministry together in the United States. Annie loves seeing God’s word come alive to people of all ages.
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